Occultism Of Southern India

September 6, 2023 By Shawn F. Higgins

OCCULTISM OF SOUTHERN INDIA. ACT III. III. ⸻ “Just imagine,” said Verochka, “a certain doctor experimenting with different sorcery until he finally succeeds in summoning the spirit of a horribly wretched dead person. At first he was able to control it, and banish it when he desired, but then it took possession of him more and more, until it finally drove him to commit murder. The actor played the part remarkably well. The transformation was instantaneous, and simply unrecognizable.”[1]... Read more

Tower Hamlets

September 5, 2023 By Shawn F. Higgins

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TOWER HAMLETS ACT III. I. ⸻ “I am speaking nearly every night,” said Besant. “It is an immense district, going right down as far as the Isle of Dogs, and including by the whole of Whitechapel. It is hard work covering the whole constituency. I am not canvassing myself, but my committee are canvassing, and also my match-girls, of whose voluntary help I am very proud. I am confining myself to public speaking.” Annie Besant, one of the few... Read more

Deccan Plateau

September 4, 2023 By Shawn F. Higgins

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DECCAN PLATEAU ACT II. XIII. ⸻ A public reception for the Bombay Theosophical Society was held at the Framji Cawasji’s Institute at 5:30 in the evening on November 12, 1888. K. M. Shroff presided.[1] Charley, and Harte spoke on “The Spread of Theosophy in Europe and America,” while Olcott spoke on the “Mysteries of Thought reading.” “Petit Hall. The Marble Staircase.”[2] Afterward the party paid a visit to Sir Dinshaw Petit and Lady Sakarbai Petit, at their... Read more

The Caves Of Elephanta

September 3, 2023 By Shawn F. Higgins

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THE CAVES OF ELEPHANTA ACT II. XI. ⸻ “India is needed!” said Tukaram. He drew a deep breath of air which smelled of brine and tar-rigging. “The whole world needs India, though the world does not know it.” Tukaram, Rustomji, and Bhavani had planned a day at Elephanta Island for Charley, Verochka, Harte, and Baroness Kroummess. A curtain launch was chartered at Apollo Bunder which they loaded with vibrant-colored fruits. (Little cream-bananas the size of fingers, custard apples, papaws, and... Read more

Apollo Bunder

September 3, 2023 By Shawn F. Higgins

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APOLLO BUNDER ACT II. X. ⸻ “The result of the interview with my wife was most satisfactory,” said Sir Samuel Baker. “The usual womanish questions had been replied to, and hosts of compliments exchanged. We were then rich in all kinds of European trifles that excited their curiosity, and a few little presents established so great an amount of confidence that they gave the individual history of each member of the family from childhood. Some of these ladies were very... Read more

Theory Of Utility

September 3, 2023 By Shawn F. Higgins

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THEORY OF UTILITY ACT II. IX. ⸻ Dalpatram Shukla treated Moniya like a brother, patiently practicing English with him, and teaching him the peculiar customs and manners of the English people. Moniya’s diet, however, became a serious question. Their landlady did not know how to prepare vegetarian food, and he could not stomach unseasoned boiled vegetables. They had oatmeal for breakfast (which was filling,) but he was famished by the time lunch time and dinner. For both of these... Read more

Et In Arcadia Ego

September 3, 2023 By Shawn F. Higgins

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ET IN ARCADIA EGO ACT II. VIII. ⸻ On October 19, 1888, the eve of departure, a second meeting was held in the rooms of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Colonel Olcott took the chair, and the rules for the newly formed British Section of the Theosophical Society were voted on.[1] The Arcadia in 1887.[2] The weather in Southampton was fair, if slightly foggy, when Charley, Verochka, Harte, and Baroness S.A, Krummesse boarded the S.S. Arcadia... Read more

Always Thin And Grave

September 2, 2023 By Shawn F. Higgins

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ALWAYS THIN AND GRAVE ACT II. VII. ⸻ “The New York Morning Journal, under date of September 5th, devotes three-quarters of a column to a minute description of our new Theosophical Headquarters,” said Judge, reviewing the Theosophical activities. It was Tuesday, October 16, and the Aryan Branch was having its regular meeting. “The account is especially interesting because of its fullness,” Judge continued. “It will doubtless draw increased public attention to the fact that Theosophy is not a visitor... Read more

Glorified in the Land of Babylon

August 4, 2023 By Shawn F. Higgins

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GLORIFIED IN THE LAND OF BABYLON ACT II. VI. ⸻ The marriage of Verochka and Charley was solemnized on October 12, 1888, at the Register Officer in Kensington. Olcott, Blavatsky, and Charley’s mother, Georgiana Barbara Hay were the witnesses.[1] Being a descendant of the Plantagenets, Georgiana, like Blavatsky, was of minor nobility.[2] Verochka joined the Theosophical Society on the same day the civil marriage was solemnized.[3] Marriage Registration. [4] Though they were technically married, the real wedding was... Read more

A Curious Reunion on Walnut Street

July 30, 2023 By Shawn F. Higgins

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A CURIOUS REUNION ON WALNUT STREET ACT II. V. ⸻ Govindarao Sattay was among the dozen men, mostly Theosophists, and believers (more or less) in Spiritualism, that were invited to attend the séance of Horatio Eddy on October 13, 1888. The host of the gathering, Henry B. Foulke, was a well-known Philadelphia real estate agent, and recent President locum tenens of the Krishna Branch T.S. (Philadelphia.)[1] He discussed the invitation with W.Q. Judge near the steps of St. Boniface... Read more